Mariona Vilanova
Bartender / Businesswoman
Mariona Vilanova, bartender and owner of Nykteri’s Cocktail Bar in Girona. More than 25 years of experience, many competitions and prizes won, and in addition, a trainer in one of the most renowned schools in Barcelona, the ESHOB.
Profile
I’m Mariona Vilanova, well, Mariona of cocktails as many people refer to me. It’s nice to be recognised in this way, just as nice to be known because I do mixes and I’m passionate about my work.
I have been a professional bartender for more than 25 years, firstly because of the passion, love and humility passed on to me by my father, Antonio Vilanova, one of the greatest professional bartenders in this country. And secondly, because I am very inquisitive, self-taught and creative.
All this, in addition to my experience in competitions and the awards I have won, which are quite a few, it’s fair to say, has led me to become the owner of the first classic cocktail bar in Girona, Nykteri’s Cocktail Bar. -> http://nykteriscocktailbar.blogspot.com/
This project was born from a dream, from a desire to make people see that being a bartender is not something that is within everyone’s reach, but that it is something more profound that is cultivated and worked on over the years. As the master Gotarda used to say, if a bartender also knows how to make cocktails, it’s so much the better. And this profession goes beyond making a combination with the right measurements. It is professionalism, learning, perseverance and curiosity in its purest form. It is making people and yourself happy, it is transforming desires into a liquid forms.
My work over the years has led me to have the good fortune to be a trainer in one of the most renowned schools in Barcelona, the ESHOB, where I develop the task of teaching this magical world and everything that surrounds it.
Intense and clear like a Dry Martini, sweet and delicate like a Pisco Sour or spicy and fresh like a Moscow Mule. That’s what i’m like, it all depends on what you feel like drinking.
"It is wonderful to transform ideas and desires into a liquid state form".
Favourite Teichenné product
Personally, my favourite products are the Butterscotch liqueur and Gin l’Arbre, although the Kinross range is also very interesting because of its versatility. It is difficult to choose just one because each product has something.
Favourite Teichenné product
I will have to look for the best way to carry out all the effort put into Nykter’s Cocktail Bar until this situation is over and once it is over, even more so. Assess what will be the best strategy to continue doing what I do best, cocktails. It is not only the industry that has suffered, society itself has changed and will change, and the whole situation has shaken many things, including people’s priorities and their desire to do things and how to do them. This slap in the face has brought more than one person to a halt. We are not the same and business will not be the same as before. We will have to look for new ways to manage all this wherever possible. And above all, without expecting the authorities to make it easy for us.
As far as training is concerned, I will continue to work as a cocktail teacher at the ESHOB and try to keep the school’s new cocktail projects moving forward.
Keep my consultancy work within the catering industry or privately, as I have always done. Of course, in a different way, the current situation means that we have to change a lot of things and reinvent ourselves.
Continue to offer workshops, tastings, courses and the bartender service for events (if it can be done, of course).
Nykteri's Cocktail Bar
Cocktail bar - Enoteca
Nykteri’s Cocktail Bar is a cocktail bar-enotheque located in the Old Quarter of Girona. Apart from a wide selection of classic and creative cocktails, you can taste wines, Gin Tonics, vermouths or any other drink accompanied by delicious tapas.
All this, in a quiet atmosphere surrounded by Jazz music with a professional and quality service to enjoy the moment without rushing.
